NM Sheriff: Scientist Was Still Working on Bombs

ESTANCIA, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico sheriff says a retired Sandia Labs scientist was apparently building bombs at his home before he died.

Torrance County Sheriff Heath White tells KOB-TV (http://bit.ly/w6oRwm ) it appears 81-year-old David O'Keefe spent his retirement on the outskirts of Estancia continuing his work up until he died a few months ago.

White says O'Keefe was trying to make a new type of explosive and was experimenting with different chemicals and different compounds to make that explosive, which put neighbors within a half mile in great danger.

Deputies discovered the explosives Saturday when the property owner went to check on the home and found the chemicals.